Hornady was founded in 1949. That means the company will celebrate its 70th Anniversary next year in 2019. Befitting that milestone, Hornady will introduce a host of new (or enhanced) products. There are new ammo types, new bullets, new reloading products, and new security accessories. All of Hornady’s new-for-2019 products are showcased in this long (12-minute) video. Here are time markers:

Hornady Ammunition

As you’d expect, Hornady has many new loaded ammunition offerings for 2019. Most noteworthy is the new Outfitter line of hunting ammunition, designed for field use. Outfitter ammunition features corrosion-resistant, nickel-plated cases that are sealed watertight and topped with the GMX® bullet. Outfitter ammo will be offered in a wide range of calibers and bullet weights.

Following its 6.5 PRC cartridge, next year Hornady will release its big brother — the 300 PRC. Watch the video above for a full description of this new magnum cartridge. Hornady touts this as “the Ultimate 30 Caliber Magnum”. However, one of our Forum members observed: “I found it strange that Hornady would come out with the 300 PRC, ‘the Ultimate 30 Caliber Magnum’, when Hornady already produces 300 Norma Magnum brass and ammo, ammo that has superior ballistics with the same bullet. I find exactly nothing ‘ultimate’ about this cartridge.”

Hornady also will produce a variety of ammunition for the popular new .224 Valkyrie. This cartridge offers impressive performance in AR-platform rifles. And for you 6.5 Creedmoor fans, Hornady now offers a nice varmint ammo option loaded with 95gr V-Max bullet.

Hornady Reloading Products

For 2019, Hornady will sell two new digitally-enabled gadgets for the reloading room. First is a new high-capacity case tumbler with a digital timer that cycles up to 8 hours. The large bowl handles up to 7.5 pounds of brass. In addition, Hornady will offer a new case and parts dryer with a digital controller.

Hornady also offers two new micrometers. Use the Standard Micrometer to measure external dimensions and lengths. Use the Vernier Ball Mic to measure case-neck and case-well thickness. Precision loaders should have both types.

Hornady Security Products — Gun Safe Accessories

Hornady will introduce more pistol safes and security boxes for 2019. But what really got our attention was a new line of accessories for gun safes. These include a Digital Hygrometer, a Golden-rod style Heating Rod, and both Canister-type and Electric Dehumidifiers.

DIGITAL HYGROMETER — Hygrometer displays high/low for temperature and humidity on large touchscreen display. Install quick-connect bracket on safe wall or use fold-out stand. We like this product — it instantly shows the conditions in your gun safe.

CANISTER DEHUMIDIFIER — This can help prevent rusting. When the cap indicator changes color, re-activate unit by placing it in the oven. Unlimited recharges.

Kevin Muramatsu’s black rifle book, the Gun Digest Guide to Customizing Your AR-15, is a great resource for fans of AR-platform rifles. All the AR options you can imagine are covered: suppressors, premium barrels, adjustable stocks, free-float handguards, ergonomic grips, buffer systems, tactical lights and much more. Those planning an AR rifle build will find application-specific suggestions for 3-Gun, Service Rifle, High Power (Space Gun), Hunting, and Self-Defense use.

Firearms expert Muramatsu offers advice on choosing the right stock/barrel/optics configuration for your particular game. He also discusses the wide variety of options for slings, grips, magazines and other accessories. With over 520 photos, the book includes a large photo gallery of customized ARs, and includes bonus coverage of the FAL and other “tactical” firearms. The Gun Digest Guide to Customizing Your AR-15 is available from Amazon.com for $20.13, and a Kindle eBook version is offered for $14.99. The book is also sold by Barnes & Noble, and most other major booksellers.

If you are shopping for a new rimfire rifle, particularly a .22 LR, you may want to pick up a copy of Small-Bore Rifles: A Guide for Rimfire Users by C. Rodney James. This provides a detailed history of rimfire cartridges and provides a look at a variety of rimfire rifles for various applications — target, plinking, varminting. SSUSA.org explains this book covers “every aspect of rimfire shooting, from a detailed history of its calibers and platforms, to a discussion of proper maintenance and expected accuracy[.]” American Rifleman Editor-in-Chief, Mark Keefe, writes: “This little book is the most useful treatment of the [.22 Long Rifle] I have read, and it is highly recommended for anyone serious about being a rimfire rifleman.”

You can view a 40-page sample of this book, including the index, on Amazon. CLICK HERE, then, when the page opens on Amazon.com, click the “LOOK INSIDE” link above the book cover image.

This book focuses primarily on the .22 LR (Long Rifle) cartridge. However, it does include extensive information on other rimfire chamberings, including .17 PMC/Aguila, .17 HMR, and .22 WMR. Here’s part of the 22 WMR section:

Here are reviews by recent verified purchases of the book:

“Everything you could ever want to know about the development of the .22 round, the ballistics of the same and the history of early bolt-action .22 rifles are presented in an easy-read style by a very knowledgeable author. There are plenty of color photographs and a lot of useful maintenance information throughout the book. I do have one complaint… the book has almost no information on semi-automatics.” — K. Greene

“A must-read book for the rimfire enthusiast. Much accurate information presented in an enjoyable format. From the earliest rimfire rounds to the latest 17s [are] all are covered in this book. Bolt actions, semi-autos and single-shot rifles are covered with the pros and cons of each. What makes for accuracy from the rifle to the cartridge is well covered.” — Ken Cook